Chapter 28
Three weeks had passed since the incident with Lennon at Daffodil Farm. Events had moved at pace, almost faster than Zoe could keep up with, but for the most part it felt positive. Things were still tough, and there was a long way to go, but getting better every day.
Billie had good days and bad days, still more bad than good, but she was opening up more, and Zoe felt sure the tide was about to turn.
Fern was staying, temporarily, at Daffodil Farm with Victor and Corrine.
Ostensibly, she was there to help them out.
Since the attack, Victor had slowed down, and Corrine had been forced to spend more time helping him around the farm, and so Fern, who had a decent knowledge of that life, was filling in the gaps.
Nothing strenuous – Corrine would never allow that – but enough to make her feel as if she was earning her keep.
The truth was, they would never have turned her away.
In light of the events leading up to Zoe’s request for their help, she felt guilty asking for it, but it had been the neatest solution, and she knew from Ottilie that they were always happy to lend a hand when someone needed a place to stay.
Zoe was heading to Kestrel Cottage when she saw Fern pegging out some washing in Corrine’s garden. Making a quick detour, she called hello.
‘Hi!’ Fern rushed to greet her. She looked like a different woman these days – serene and glowing. Life at Daffodil obviously suited her, and Zoe was happy to see it. ‘I was going to phone you,’ she said. ‘We’ve been offered a house!’
‘You and Maisie?’
Fern nodded. ‘We’ve got to view it first, but it sounds ideal.
We’re planning to go over next week, and if we’re both happy, we can sign the papers and move in whenever we like.
It’s a good street too, nice, friendly. At least that’s what I’ve heard.
I’ll get a better idea when we go to look.
Isn’t it lucky? I thought we’d be on the council list for ages. ’
‘Two pregnant women – I’m sure they’d bump you up to the top.’
‘Even so…’
‘It’s brilliant…’ Zoe paused. ‘Everything else is all right? No trouble from…?’ Zoe didn’t need to spell it out.
She’d worried unnecessarily when Fern hadn’t shown for their meeting after she’d announced she wanted to leave, but in the end it had been down to some commune meeting she’d forgotten about and couldn’t avoid if she didn’t want to alert anyone to her plans.
And, as had often been the case, she hadn’t had access to a phone to let Zoe know.
‘No. Not sure they know where I am, but I haven’t heard from anyone there.’
‘That’s good. Have you had your scan appointment yet?’
‘I had a letter last week. Will it matter that I missed them in the beginning?’
‘I shouldn’t think so. This one will be just to date you accurately and make sure everything is all right. They’ll still call you back for your proper twenty-week check-up when it’s due.’
‘That’s good. Do you want to come in for a bit? Corrine is baking.’
Zoe smiled. ‘Of course she is. I would, but I’ve got to go and see my dad and Chantal before they leave.’
‘Oh, OK.’
‘Maybe I’ll call in on my way back.’
‘I’ll tell her. See you later then.’
Fern almost skipped back to her chores. It was strange talking to someone who wasn’t hell-bent on letting her know their opinion of her dad or Chantal or Lennon. But Fern hadn’t been involved and she barely knew them, so why would she?
Zoe’s phone began to ring in her pocket.
‘Never rains but it pours…’ she murmured as she noted her mum on the caller ID.
Bad enough she had to go and face her dad feeling as if she was the cause of his current misfortune, even though she knew she wasn’t, but Cherie was bound to be complaining about something too.
The fact was, Zoe had neglected her since the wedding, and she knew it.
But so much had been going on she’d barely had time for more than a quick text to check in.
She could have ignored the call now, turned her full attention to the visit she was about to pay to Kestrel Cottage, but what was the point in upsetting both her parents?
‘Hi, Mum!’ she answered in the brightest tone she could muster.
‘You’re still alive then.’
‘Yes, sorry, you know how it is. I’ve been so busy at work, and then of course we have Louisa now. I meant to call.’
‘That’s all right. I thought it would be something like that.’
Zoe frowned. Cherie was taking her excuse better than she usually would.
‘How is Billie?’ Cherie continued. ‘Do you think I might be able to come and see the baby? The pictures you sent me were beautiful. Such lovely skin and so much hair already!’
‘Yes, she’s very cute.’ Zoe’s frown deepened.
‘I suppose you’ve seen a lot of your dad since…’
‘Yes,’ Zoe said slowly, waiting now for the inevitable darkening tone. ‘I mean, he’s been living just across the fields, so it’s hard not to.’
‘Tom tells me he’s having to move out, though.’
‘Today, as a matter of fact. I’m going to see them off.’
‘That’s a shame. I’m sure you liked having at least one of us there.’
Zoe stopped on the path. She had to fight the urge to ask who’d kidnapped her mum and replaced her with an AI version programmed with all the correct responses. ‘It was nice,’ she said.
‘Speaking of… I don’t suppose you’re free over the next couple of weeks.’
‘Depends when. Are you thinking of coming over?’
‘I could come to you, or you could come here.’
‘For lunch or something more?’
‘Whatever you like, love. It’s just…’ Cherie paused, and when she spoke again, it was like she’d exploded. ‘There’s someone I want you to meet!’
‘Someone you want…’ Zoe paused and then grinned. ‘Someone? Like someone someone? You’ve met someone?’
‘His name’s Alistair. Would you believe we met at the supermarket café?
I was having a cup of tea, and this man trips over my bag on the floor, and I thought, well, I’m for it now, he’s going to be furious because it was in the way, but when he looked at me, he just burst out laughing.
That’s when we got chatting. Before I knew what was going on, he’d bought himself a cup of tea and some sandwiches, and we were sitting together like old friends.
He’s lovely, Zoe. So kind and attentive.
He’s taking me to Chester Zoo tomorrow! Isn’t it wonderful? ’
‘Mum, it’s lovely! When did this happen?’
‘Only last week. Our first date was a meal out. We’ve been to the pub and the theatre – he took me to see the rep production of Cats, which was pretty silly; we mostly laughed all the way through it.
And tomorrow he’s picking me up – he has a vintage Bentley, you know – and we’re going to the zoo like a couple of children!
He’s sixty-five, but he really is very young at heart. ’
‘He sounds amazing. I can’t wait to meet him. Let me check with Alex and Billie, then I’ll get back to you and we can work something out.’
‘Yes, that’s a good idea.’
‘Listen, Mum, I have to get on, but I’ll call you properly later.’
‘Oh, don’t worry about that – I know you’re busy. Call me when you’ve got time.’
‘All right, well I’ll try for later, but if not, I’ll definitely speak to you after the zoo trip so I can hear all about it.’
Cherie ended the call with a fond goodbye, and then Zoe slipped her phone back into her pocket with a look of bemusement.
And then she laughed softly to herself. Only her mum could meet a new man after all this time in a location as surprising as the supermarket café.
But she sounded happy, and so Zoe was happy.
Dad had Chantal – even though things weren’t going entirely to plan, he was still happy with his new wife – and now Cherie had someone.
At least, it sounded promising. Zoe hoped with all her heart Alistair would turn out to be the one.
Still mulling over her mum’s call, Zoe walked the fields, where the sun was trying to break through fast-moving cloud and the swishing grass was glinting from the morning dew.
When her old home came into view, she spotted a van parked outside, and it hit her that this was soon to be her dad’s old home too.
She hadn’t been sure whether going to see them off was a good idea or not, but eventually she’d decided to part with them on the best terms possible.
It seemed the only way to do that was to be as open and available as possible, to wish them well and express the hope that they could still be close, despite what had happened.
Her dad came out of the house, staggering under the weight of a large box. He pushed it into the van and then turned and noticed Zoe walking towards him.
‘Oh, hello.’
‘Hi, Dad.’ Zoe hesitated, and then leaned in to kiss his cheek. ‘How’s it going?’
‘All right,’ he said carefully.
There was something in the air between them that hadn’t been there before. It made Zoe sad, but she hoped, one day, they’d be able to clear it. She was willing to do her part; it was a question of how willing her dad was and – more importantly – Chantal.
‘Need a hand?’ she asked.
‘I don’t think so. Chantal can’t do much, of course, but I’ve broken the back of it.
I drove most of it back last night. Thought it would make it easier for today.
Just got a few more bits to load onto the van, and then I’ll go over to give Victor the keys.
’ Shoving his hands in his pockets, he grimaced.
‘I suppose your mother is loving this. I’m getting my just deserts and all that. ’
‘She knows, but I didn’t tell her. And if the conversation I’ve just had is anything to go by, she won’t be as bothered as you think.’
‘Why would you say that?’
‘Let’s just say she’s met someone and leave it at that.’
He gave a tight smile. ‘Has she? I’m glad. She never deserved to be unhappy.’
‘No, she didn’t.’
‘I suppose everyone thinks we’re getting our just deserts, getting kicked out of here.’